Once there is the slightest suggestion of combinational possibilities on the board, look for unusual moves. Apart from making your play creative and interesting it will help you to get better results. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share Image
I can remember a case where Capablanca worked out an impressive combination, but then chose to make a simple move in answer to which… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
There is no doubt that the reason for my awful oversight was over-confidence that sapped my sense of danger. So that is where to… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
In analysing complicated variations one must examine each branch of the tree once and once only. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
All candidate moves should be identified at once and listed in one's head. This job cannot be done piecemeal, by first examining one move… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
Just as the pianist practices the most complicated pieces to improve the technique of his fingers, so too a grandmaster must keep his vision… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
I cannot think that a player genuinely loving the game can get pleasure just from the number of points scored no matter how impressive… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
The placing of the centre pawns determines the "topography" of a game of chess. — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
I soon realized that it is not enough for a master simply to analyse variations scrupulously just like an accountant. He must learn to… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
After a great deal of discussion in Soviet literature about the correct definition of a combination, it was decided that from the point of… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
Anyone who wishes to learn how to play chess well must make himself or herself thoroughly conversant with the play in positions where the… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
If you study the classic examples of endgame play you will see how the king was brought up as soon as possible even though… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
In choosing an opening plan players think most of all of harmonious development for the pieces, but sometimes leave the development of the queen… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
Experience and the constant analysis of the most varied positions builds up a store of knowledge in a player's mind enabling him often at… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
Once in a Moscow chess club I saw how two first-category players knocked pieces off the board as they were exchanged, so that the… — Alexander Kotov Copy Share
